We have received information that every day, there are Indonesian migrant workers from Malaysia passing (through) the illegal routes
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian military has stepped up security along the border with Malaysia to prevent potential coronavirus transmissions from people entering the country illegally, said Commander of the Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI), Air Chief Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto.



"For instance, along the border in Kalimantan, there are thousands of illegal routes and also legal routes guarded by the TNI and Malaysian military," Tjahjanto said in a virtual working meeting here on Wednesday with Commission I of the House of Representatives.



Three days ago, Malaysia withdrew its soldiers from joint cross-border posts after the country imposed a lockdown on account of the COVID-19 pandemic.



However, Tjahjanto said he has instructed TNI personnel to remain at the joint posts as well as other posts along illegal routes.



"We have received information that every day, there are Indonesian migrant workers from Malaysia passing (through) the illegal routes," he informed.



Some of the workers have been detained by military personnel for health checks.



"We will carry out health screening to decide whether they should be isolated or allowed to return to their hometowns and self-isolate," Tjahjanto stated.



The Malaysian Government has extended its “movement control order”, which is technically a lockdown, until April 28 to curb the rapid spread of COVID-19 in its territories. (INE)



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Translator: Imam Budilaksono, Sri Haryati
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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